Let's talk GLBT and comics: comic books, comic strips, web comics, old comics, new comics, or comics that haven't hit the shelves yet!
*Note this used to be called "Gays and Comics", but has recently been moved to it's proper place with Books, Magazines, etc.
Submitted by
Dwiz (
867 points) (
165 posts)
on Wed, 2007-04-11 08:34.
Midnighter (Wildstorm Comics)
There's a nifty, "fairly new" comic on the stands called MIDNIGHTER, featuring the gay comic hero of the same name. I'm a bit slow when it comes to trying a new book, but I've been hearing some good and interesting things about it and it's sparked my interest. Although currently on issue #6, I'll be buying and reading the back issues and start from the beginning, posting any "non-spoiler" comments here.
Many describe him as "the gay Batman" and if you're curious, to know the basic concept of the book, and more about who MIDNIGHTER is, there is a good short interview about this series with Garth Ennis, the current writer.
http://www.newsarama.com/WWLA06/DC/Ennis_Mid.htm
;)
In a nutshell, I have to say I'm excited about this book because Ennis says the series isn't going to shy away from his sexuality. Thank Gawd! Hope he's right!
#6 already?
I am so out of the loop, shame on me. Anyway, when the book was announced, it seemed that there was going to be little or no Apollo in it. Now, I really enjoyed them as a couple, so if that is the case . . .
Well, I'll just come out and ask it, is Apollo present, even a little?
Is Apollo Present?
To answer your question, "Is Apollo present, even a little?": YES.
Apollo is present... a VERY little, teenie tiny, itsy-bitsy bit.
Apollo is only in a few panels (if at all), but issue #6 has a rather touching and violent "flashback" that tells what seems to be a complete short story of two ancient Japaneese warriors (that look amazingly like Midnighter and Apollo) and keeps to this same theme of the series: Midnighter and his struggle with being a killing machine.
In the first issue (#1) he is shown at home, walking past friends and family, thinking to himself:
"I am not a lover. I am not a father. I am not a friend. I am what I was bred to be."
Of course, Midnighter is ALL these things, but like many of us, sometimes struggle with what choices we make and being true to who we are.
This is a stupid question
Where is Midnighter?
Well, The "Midnighter" comic book is published by WILDSTORM comics, and is actually now a part of DC COMICS, so it should be widely distributed and fairly easy to find. However, because it is an "adult oriented" book (uses graphic violence, profanity, etc.) it may not be carried by every store that would normally sell comics. If you have trouble finding it (or just about any other book), you're best bet is to simply ask your local bookstore or comics retailer to order it for you.
It's not that uncommon, and I'm sure the store owner would appreciate the business.
;)
Try the Pirate Bay...
Oops, did I say that out loud? *evil grin*
KC
Maintainer of Luke MacFarlane Fansite
And if you want to spend like a sailor on shore-leave
Yay, gays and comics!
So, in no particular order, here are some of my favorites:
* "Enigma": Limited series from the early 90's by DC's Vertigo imprint. Can't say too much without giving some twists away, but a very fun book with a very atypical super-hero (if you can even call him that). I believe this is still available as a collected trade paperback.
* "Y The Last Man": Ongoing series from Vertigo (though it's about to end -- boo hoo!). No gay male content, but a great story and lots of lesbian content, as it's about a plague that kills all men on earth, save one.
* "Legion of Super-Heroes": I'm hesitant to put this one on the list because they've got such a spotty history with gay characters, in spite of the proportionally large gay following. It seems like every time they're about to "out" a character -- POOF -- the series is rebooted again. (I may post more about this comic later, though I think it's already been covered.)
* "Zot": Independent comic from the 80's. Some of the issues are collected in trade paperback form, but the last story arc, which deals with Zot's exploits with his teenage friends on earth (three of whom are gay), was unfortunately never compiled. Good luck searching the back-issue bins!
* "Ultimate X-Men": I think this comic has already been discussed in this forum also (though maybe not this thread). I haven't read all of the issues, but do enjoy the relationship between Northstar and Colossus, two gay teenage male mutants :)
* Obsidian: Not a comic, but a character who has appeared in many comics. He was created in the 80's as straight and had a few failed relationships with women (at least one of them was secretly evil and tried to kill him). Fan speculation from early on was that he was a closet case, hiding who he truly was because of his strict Catholic upbringing. He disappeared for a while, only to show up in the 90's as a member of the Justice League. During this period, he essentially came out as pansexual (I believe he had a line like, "I don't care about gender as much as people" or somesuch). By the 90's, he was out of the Justice League and too busy going crazy and attempting to kill off members of his super-hero family to worry about his sexuality. More recently, though, he can be seen in the new Justice Society comic and the title "Manhunter," where he is happily dating a guy. I believe writers are currently identifying him as "gay."
* "Strangers in Paradise": Main lesbian character and the straight (?) best friend with whom she's in love. Great comic that's about to come to its conclusion. All of it to date has been collected in various trade paperbacks and hardcovers.
* "Young Heroes in Love": DC super-hero comic from the 90's that was billed as "Melrose Place in tights." Lots of campy fun and a pretty good story to boot. One of the male characters (Off Ramp) was either gay or bisexual and ended up having a fling with another male (I believe his name was Frostbite), who was the other half of the book's main boy/girl romantic couple.
* "Relative Heroes": DC super-hero mini-series from the late 90's. A group of teenage relatives all realize they have powers after their parents' death. Their older brother, Houston, is their leader, the only sibling without an actual power, and gay. He ends up having a relationship with another guy.
There are plently of other examples, but I think I've rambled enough ;)
-- Newbie John
Gays and their comic (related) collections
We all probably collect something or another to some extent, but sometimes collecting can become an obsession for whatever reason. I happen to know someone who is CRAZY about Wonder Woman in particular, and I think anyone who is or knows a collector will get a kick out of this short video about his collection.
http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2007/04/sam_hatmaker.php
Does anyone else have a collection they can boast of? Or do you know someone who does?
I used to be one of those geeks standing in front of the toy store before it opened, hoping to get the rare clear Sue Storm action figure! Yes, well... I've since stopped collecting and boxed them all up for some crazy date in the far future. I seriously have a closet full of taped up cardboard boxes (at my spacious parents house, of course)! I'm glad I've somehow overcome my obsession, partly because of the amount of money I would spend on them, and also: I HAVE NO ROOM!!
And yes... I have comic boxes, too. But those thankfully stack well and can get hidden, too! But I've only held onto my favorite 500 or so! ;)
Comic Book Queers
If anyone is looking for a good comic book podcast check out
http://www.comicbookqueers.com/podcasts.php
Nice pod, San Diego!
Awesome! I'm totally checking this out! Thanks!! :)
Hey all, don't forget that San Diego Comicon is going on right now! I'm not there this year... but be sure to watch G4 "Attack of the Show" for some serious coverage. There's already video and blog posts available at their site:
http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/index.html
I know for a fact that there will be at least ONE gay-related panel tomorrow night:
" 5:30-8:00 Gays in Comics Panel and Mixer: The 20th Anniversary!— Two decades of “Gays in Comics” is celebrated at its birthplace: Comic-Con! From DC's diverse roster that includes a lesbian Question and Batwoman and a gay Pied Piper and Midnighter to Marvel's Moondragon and Quasar or Hulkling and Wicca, super-hero comics have come a long way in representing gay characters. With Yaoi also exploding in the marketplace, the bravura graphic novel Fun Home winning awards worldwide, and TV shows such as Heroes tapping into the comic book closet, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters and fans are finally being represented. An all-star panel of GLBT creators (and a straight one) will offer startling insight and glimpses of surprises to come! Joining founding moderator Andy Mangels, best-selling author of Star Trek novels and director of She-Ra and Isis DVD documentaries, are Alison Bechdel, the writer/artist of the critical best-seller Fun Home and Dykes to Watch Out For; Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the writer of Sensational Spider-Man and Nightcrawler; Chuck Kim, a writer for the Heroes TV series and many DC Comics titles; Charles "Zan" Christensen, the co-founder of PRISM and writer of the upcoming The Mark of Aeacus; Alonso Duralde, pop culture critic, author of 101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men, and former Advocate arts editor; and Megan Gedris, PRISM grant-winning artist of Yu+Me manga webcomic. Plus, a very important special guest may make an appearance! Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, sponsored by PRISM Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Room 6A"
Check out the Con websiteif you're curious:
http://www.comic-con.org/
Proud Gay Geek
Hi Dwiz, I would be one of those gay action figure collectors. I have 300+ action figures in my apt. on display. If you went to the photos section in my website http://www.brandonshea.com/photos2.html there is a photo of my collection. Since you asked I figured I would own up to it.
Brandon
www.brandonshea.com
Beam me up, Scotty!
Wow! Nice display cases. Looks like you're a BIG Star Trek fan!! LOL! I have that Dr.Beverly Crusher doll, too! ;)
"Hot 100" (comic book) Heroes!
OK. Since we now have our "Hot 100" (Thanks After Elton) maybe we should try making a "HOT List" of our favorite comic heroes? Who would be #1? But let's keep it to the comic BOOKS (not "real life actors", or animated on TV). So think of your top 10 hottest heroes and name them and your preferred version (costume look, etc.) of that hero and the artist (if you know) that drew him best!
I'll start with my top 5:
1. COSMIC BOY (1970's Legion of Super Heroes/ Mike Grell)
2. WARLORD (70's and 80's/ Mike Grell)
3. Green Lantern (70's/ Neil Adams)
4. Green Arrow (70's/ Neil Adams)
5. Logan: aka Wolverine (80's/ X-Men/ John Byrne)
6. Hawkman (JSA/ Steve Sadowski)
7. Killraven (Alan Davis)
8. Captain Marvel (Kingdom Come/ Alex Ross)
9. Puck (Alpha Flight/ Scott Clark)
10. Kraven (Amazing Spiderman: Kraven's Last Hunt/ Mike Zeck)
OK... my #10 is actually a bad guy, but he was HOT! So I guess villains can be sexy, too! ;)
Ah, yes...
Grifter Midnighter Series
Few things about this 6 parter:
1) I enjoyed it as a whole but that first issue set me off. You could juet tell it was written by straight guys. When Apollo makes the "If it's Midnighter we're talking about then he most certainly came out on TOP" followed shortly by Midnighter's "I'm not a wife" comment, I really felt they were missing the Apollo/Midnighter dynamic, let alone the character. Midnighter is above making such obvious declarations plus I think he's more than willing to bottom because for him it's not a masculine v fem issue.
2) I hated myself for wishing Grifter and Midnighter would bump uglies. Good Lord those two just drip sex.
He's a GRIFTER!
I suppose I've never been interested in Grifter much only because guys with guns usually don't catch my attention... unless you're talking about their biceps. ;)
Hottest Heroes
I changed my list after thinking about it a bit. I forgot about Major Bummer. He's in at no. 5. Here are the rest of the changes; Red Tornado is out, Ultimate Namor up to 6 from 7, and Savage Dragon down from 5 to 7.
Ex-gay/anti-gay comics in Bible
Ex-Gay Watch has a writeup on this. Very disturbing to see this marketed this way, especially with how many confused young people or their parents may fall for this propaganda.
http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2007/08/evangelist-publishes-sacrilegious-ex-gay-comics-in-public-school-bibles/#comments
MIDNIGHTER update, issue #12
Well, I'm STILL reading this series. In Midnighter #10, Midnighter managed to retrieve all the information about his former life prior to his reprogramming, and discovered that his real name is Lucas Trent, that he was from Harmony Indiana. So Lucas Trent takes a trip back home and discovers a fanatical "homeland security" type company, Anthem, that pretty much runs the town and is hellbent on eliminating all meta-humans (aka superheroes) because they inhibit the inherent rights of all Americans to live "fear free". It's issue #12 now, and Anthem knows who Lucas Trent really is and sets him up to look like a public menace. Before you know it, Midnighter is fighting random meta-human menaces that suddenly appear, and television crews report him as a menace to society instead of a hero. Of course, this is all just part of Anthem's plan to get rid of our hero, but Midnighter isn't going out without a fight. He's enlisted the help of an expert hacker to dig up the dirt and supply him with the much needed evidence to bring this corrupted corporation down for good.
I have to say that the art is mediocre, but the story seems pretty interesting. Is it just me, or is the fight for gay civil rights being portrayed as Midnighter's struggle against Anthem? I wonder how the current writer, Keith Giffen, will explore the similarities and where this is all going. I don't know much about his background, but Giffen must know that there are gays reading this book, and I feel like he's making a tip of the hat, showing his support of the LBGT community.
MIDNIGHTER update, Issue #17
The Midnighter / Locke & Key
I usually make a point of supporting comics with gay characters. Which makes it all the odder that I stopped buying The Midnighter after the first few issues. I think I was just expecting more "gay" in the series. (Does that make sense...or make me completely shallow?) So, I understand where you're coming from, Andy. (And The Authority is one of my all-time fave series!)
The new series by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son) 'Locke & Key' may have a gay character in Uncle Duncan. There was a comment by the mother in issue 1 about the father's brother, which points to his sexuality (though the comment was somewhat insensitive). The series just started last month and issue 2 came out last week. It's actually quite an enjoyable read imo, even without the hint of possible gayness.
What about Young Avengers?
Hulkling and Wiccan are flat-out revolutionary
Hulkling and Wiccan are a radical step forward in gay representation in that they are two teenage gay characters whose sexuality is perfectly normal to them and their teamates.
Indeed, probably one of the funniest scenes was when Billy (with bf Teddy beside him) was trying to "come out" to his parents as a superhero and was met with an outpouring of supportive affection from his parents who already knew that he was gay and that Teddy was his boyfriend. The storyline presented it ironically that it was a bigger issue for Billy to come out as a superhero than to come out as gay.
And they are such a cute young couple, with great powers and clearly valuable to their team.
Yeah, sure is nice they
Yeah, sure is nice they didn't decide to do a last minute gender switch on Hulkling. The problem is there is now a distinct lack of Hulkling and Wiccan in my life, and that needs to change. That and how is Hawkingbird not the most awesome name ever?
Although...
They did bring in a parallel pairing over in the Runaways where lesbian Karolina is partnered with a male skrull who assumes a female form for her.
I agree that the Young Avengers don't get used enough, although I think that Marvel kind of boxed in a number of their characters with the whole Civil War/Initiative thing. Placing all American superheroes under the thumb of the government kind of suppresses the youthful enthusiasm that gave Young Avengers it's great feel. But nonetheless I see that there is another Runaways/Young Avengers thing coming up involving a skrull invasion so hopefully we'll see something good there. I haven't been thrilled with Marvel lately so anything to improve that would be nice.
Young Avengers Present #2 & #3
Yeah, which some fans I
Yeah, which some fans I know consider a cop-out because of the flexible gender identity issue with Skrulls. But it seems to me that Teddy's identity is pretty solidly human first and Skrull/Kree hybrid second, even if Xavin only wears the female form for Karolina because it's what she's attracted to.
Gay aliens in Warbound
If you haven't seen this scene from World War Hulk Aftersmash Warbound #4, it was pretty compelling and moving, if something that I don't know if they'll build on--it reveals that a character's whole male race couples as such (scroll through my blabbeting for the panel sequence):
http://awesomedbycomics.blogspot.com/2008/03/korgs-requiem.html
Young Avengers, Locke & Key, etc.
I hear a lot about Young Avengers, but for some reason I just haven't picked up the title. The Locke & Key sounds interesting, and will probably pick that up (thanks for the tip, Dane)!
I am just tired of these huge story arcs that mess with every title from Marvel (and DC). This Secret Skrull invasion thing just puts me off and I don't care. :(
Young Avengers
Young Avengers really is great, and not just because of the gay teen couple thing (although that certainly helps). Still, Wiccan and Hulkling are great characters and representation for our community. In particular it's cool that they're both pretty powerful, rather than being second-string type heroes. Especially given that Hulkling is so physically oriented (having super-strength), which breaks away from the idea of gays being weak. He's actually the main muscle on his team.
I'm kind of ambivalent about these big cross-book arcs as well. But on the other hand, they do make a certain amount of sense if you think about it. So many books take place in a common universe that it's just logical that some big threats have to crossover.
I remember thinking many years ago how weird it sometimes was, you'd have this great, huge world-shaking threat...and only one hero would seem to notice it. It always left me wondering: are the Avengers oblivious? Is the Fantastic Four smoking weed? There's a huge threat to the world (or even just New York) and only Spider Man seems to notice!?
So in some respects I get the crossover thing, although it is annoying having to either pass on some of the books (and miss big chunks of the story) or else read a lot of books you really don't care for.
crossovers are marketing gimmicks & cash grabs
The only reason crossover storylines are done between several comic book titles is to get people to buy more issues, especially of titles they wouldn't usually read.
I understand what you're saying that the various characters inhabit the same universe and often the same city so it would be logical they might cross paths. The easiest way to portray that fact is to have guest stars in a storyline. If a Spider-Man story called for the FF to be part of the plot, why must I go buy an issue of FF for the conclusion of the storyline? Why can't they just appear in a couple of issue of Spider-Man without requiring Spidey to make a return visit in an issue of FF? Well, I know why. Marvel wants people to be buying both titles if they weren't doing that already.
Oh I agree with you
But keep in mind that Marvel is a business, not a bunch of giveaway artists. Their goal is to get people to buy as many comics as possible and they use these crossovers as one way. They also group the books into families (as does DC) to encourage readers who like a character or group of characters to buy more than one book. I mean, just how many X-Men, Spider Man or Superman titles have been going at the same time for years and years now?
The question is how much the readers play along. In my case it's iffy. I am unlikely to buy every, or even most, titles with the current crossover or any crossover. I happily ignored most of the recent Civil War stuff, continuing to buy only those titles that had specific characters I'm interested in.